Beautiful Truth & Blissful Food

04/2023 London

I’ve been on one diet or another ever since I nearly doubled in size when I gained 80 pounds between my 14th and 15th birthdays. Name any diet (or weight-loss scheme), and chances are I’ve tried (and failed) it at least once. For years, I was the epitome of an emotional eater with yo-yo weight fluctuations.

Up until we moved to Arkansas the second time, I’d been an active kid—always on my bike, or playing softball/rounders, or racing my friends, or playing tag. And, I spent loads of time on the playground, even when school was out. But when we moved to Little Rock at the beginning of my ninth grade year, I was bused to/from school 45 minutes each way. And because I got car sick if I tried to read, I couldn’t do homework during those commutes. My activity level drastically decreased, while my appetite stayed the same, and I struggled many years afterward, trying to find balance between the two.

04/2023 London

Holidays were the worst! Succulent displays of forbidden foods were tempting enough. But add pressure from “well-meaning” family and friends, and we’re talking willpower overload. It didn’t seem to matter that I was still stretching cotton to its limit.

“You’re losing too fast. Your face is too thin. I made this especially for you. One little bite won’t hurt. No one will notice the extra pounds if you wear a sweater. You can restart your diet on Monday…next month…next year. Who are you trying to be?“

Even if I’d managed to stay strong during the festivities, the drive home past fast food joints usually derailed me. I’d even visit different McDonalds to order large fries, so no one would suspect I was on a binge. I can imagine what my car smelled like in those days.

04/2023 London

But now that I’m vegan, all has changed. Most people respect the fundamentals of veganism and are polite enough not to pressure me into sampling their meat-laden specialties. Although some confuse veganism with vegetarianism—not realizing that milk, cheese, egg, honey, and some sugars aren’t part of vegan eating—their intentions are admirable.

But what about the argument that veganism is a fad diet that sorely lacks protein. After all, one egg offers an astounding 6 grams. You can’t beat that! Right?

Untrue! Some might be surprised by the amount of protein in foods that are naturally vegan. If you’re not a fan of the go-to tofu, the following items are excellent sources of protein:

  • 1/4 cup chia seeds=12 grams
  • 1/4 cup dried lentils=10 grams
  • 1/4 cup cashews=7 grams
  • 1/2 cup dry oatmeal=7 grams
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa=6.7 grams
  • 2 tbs. nutritional yeast=6 grams
04/2023 London

I know exactly what to eat when I’m hungry and/or crave a healthy snack. When I feel full, I pack the rest for later, rarely wasting food.

Below are a few examples of what I enjoy on a regular basis, but be sure to check labels and websites for further info.

Blissful Food

03/2019 London (Paddington Station)

And so many more I’ve failed to mention or have yet to discover! And I’m open to suggestions, so email me at charisse-flynn@usa.net if you have a favorite recipe of vegan product you’d like me to try. And if I like it or think it’d be helpful to others, I’ll add it to the list.

Flower Bear (inspired by Paddington Bear)

P.S. Most “regular” dishes can be made into vegan versions (some more successfully than others). A simple search on the internet with “vegan” in the description (such as “vegan tacos”) will result in countless options. I suggest looking at the ingredients and number of steps. If you don’t like the foods, or if the recipe is too detailed, you might not enjoy the end result. But, I find it fun to experiment, and maybe you will, too. I was particularly surprised by how much I loved making Indian dishes. So much flavor!

04/2023 London

This blog is not about body shaming or weight loss. Self-worth cannot be determined by a scale, nor can physical appearance be defined by a number between 1 and 10. It’s insulting to think otherwise.

My body protects my brain, heart, and life source, and transports my bones from place to place. It deserves the utmost respect. My job is to maintain my body’s overall well-being. This includes unconditional love and acceptance. Everything else is inconsequential and litters the path to living fully.

04/2023 London

I’m not a nutritionist nor health expert. All opinions on this site are my own. Unless otherwise noted, the recipes are my concoction, and I’ve purchased all products. Furthermore, I won’t be giving excessive advice on how anyone else should behave, because I’m still figuring that out myself.